View Other Items in this Archive | View All Archives | Printable Version

EAST EXPRESS | JANUARY 2026

Friends and neighbors,

As we welcome a new year, I hope your 2026 is off to a bright and positive start. This season offers a wonderful chance to reflect, set new intentions and embrace all that makes East Grand Rapids such a special place to call home.

Winter is also a great time to stay active and enjoy the beauty of our community. Whether you’re walking or running along the Reeds Lake Trail or exploring our parks, please remember to share the paths and stay alert to both pedestrians and vehicles. Safety is a shared responsibility, especially during shorter winter days. 

You can also support our Public Safety team by lending a quick hand in your neighborhood—clearing three feet of snow around fire hydrants after snow events helps our Public Safety officers respond quickly in an emergency. Small efforts like this make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.

Here’s to a healthy, joyful and connected 2026 full of community spirit and simple moments that remind us why we love East Grand Rapids. 

Warm regards,
Katie

MASTER PLAN UPDATE: PUBLIC HEARING FEB. 10

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for the City’s Master Plan update at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10 in the Commission chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

To learn more and view the current draft Master Plan, visit masterplanupdate.eastgrmi.gov. 

COFFEE HOURS

Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials at Bagel Kitchen, 2228 Wealthy St. SE:

FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION

NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING

The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 in the Commission Chambers at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. 

Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas online.

WINTER PROPERTY TAXES

Winter property taxes will be considered late after Feb. 16, and fees will apply. Details at eastgrmi.gov/taxes. 

UPCOMING PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NOTICES

Property assessment notices will be mailed out in late February. These notices explain how your property was valued as of December 31, 2025 – they are not tax bills. 

As a reminder, Michigan law limits increases in a property’s taxable value to the Inflation Rate Multiplier, which has been set by the state at 2.7%, unless there has been a transfer of ownership or new construction.

If you have questions regarding your assessment, contact the Assessor’s Office by calling 616.940.4818 or by visiting during normal business hours, 8-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Many questions can be resolved by reviewing property data or discussing the valuation.

Residents may appeal their assessment to the March Board of Review, which will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. March 9 and 2-9 p.m. March 10 in Room 107 at the Community Center. This is the primary opportunity to contest an assessment or taxable value. Call the Assessor’s Office at 616.940.4818 to schedule an appointment.

Details on appeal deadlines, required forms and supporting documentation will be listed on your assessment notice and on the City’s website. Residents are encouraged to review their assessment promptly, as appeal deadlines are set by state law and cannot be extended.

STAY INFORMED

If you need assistance signing up for City communications, visit the City office, 750 Lakeside Drive SE, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

PARKS & RECREATION

NOW HIRING: LIFEGUARDS
We’re hiring part-time youth and adult lifeguards to help keep swimmers safe at the East Grand Rapids High School and Wealthy pools. Lifeguards start at $15 per hour, with early morning shifts paying $16.50 per hour. 

Learn more and apply today.

SPORTS NIGHT OUT
Mark your calendar for Sports Night Out Jan. 10, May 2 and Nov. 7. 

For the upcoming January event, attendees will enjoy games, pool time, snacks, crafts and more at the EGRHS pool. Register here or at the door.

PUBLIC SAFETY

ICE SAFETY
Winter in East Grand Rapids offers community members plenty of recreational opportunities to enjoy the season. If you plan to venture out on Reeds Lake, Public Safety has a few tips for you: 

While no ice is safe, measuring the thickness of the frozen water can help determine which parts are safer than others.

PUBLIC WORKS

HOLIDAY TREE PICKUP
Public Works will collect natural trees and wreaths for chipping through Jan. 16. Please remove lights, ribbons and ornaments from the greenery and place the tree or wreath in the right-of-way on the day before your regular pickup day.
 
More at https://eastgrmi.gov/243/RefuseRecycleYard-WasteCompost.

WINTER WEATHER OPERATIONS

Curious about our street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations? How we prioritize road routes? How you can help make snowplowing easier for our Public Works team? Get the answers to these questions on our website or view the video below.

When snow events are in the forecast, Public Works asks residents to park in their driveway instead of the street. If you must park in the street, please avoid parking directly across from another vehicle so snowplow drivers can provide safe and efficient service. 

SIDEWALK PLOWING
City sidewalks are plowed after a snow accumulation of approximately 2 inches and on weekends when the snowfall has concluded, but not to a bare pavement standard. Sidewalk priority routes for schools are addressed as needed to ensure sidewalks are clear prior to the start of school.  

The City does not provide ice control to city sidewalks. Residents are encouraged remove residual snow and ice left after plowing so sidewalks are safe for pedestrians.  

Public Works continually evaluates and experiments with different snow removal equipment. Pictured above is an example of an ice crusher/snowpack attachment that has proven effective at removing residual snowpack and ice, but the process can be slow. Public Works appreciates your patience and partnership in ensuring our sidewalks are safe for all.

Public Works also reminds residents of a state law that requires motorists to stay 200 feet behind active Public Works snowplows and maintain a 20-foot distance when stopped at an intersection.

Public Works thanks you for your partnership in making sure our streets and sidewalks stay safe for everyone.

PREVENT PIPES FROM FREEZING 
During the winter, pipes and water meters can freeze. The City is responsible for water service from the curb stop in the right-of-way to the water main in the street. Property owners are responsible for water service from the curb stop to and throughout their property.

The City offers the following tips to help protect water service pipes:

• Wrap and insulate all water pipes in unheated areas of your home, paying particular attention to pipes near exterior walls.
• Keep the location of your water meter above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Make sure any garden hoses on the exterior of your home are disconnected and the outdoor faucet is winterized.
• Know the location of your water shutoff valve in case of a leak.

What to do if your pipes freeze:

• If your pipes freeze and you have water running in your home, turn off the water at your water shutoff – usually located near the water meter – and contact a licensed plumber.
• If interior pipes freeze, do not apply any direct heat to your pipes and instead use a space heater or a blow dryer to heat the area around the piping.
• If your water service stops and the entire interior plumbing and water meter are insulated or located in an area heated above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, please contact Public Works at 616.940.4870. Public Works staff will assess the situation and, if the water service is frozen from the curb stop to the main, they will thaw the service line and restore water service. 

CLEAR SNOW AND ICE FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
If you have a fire hydrant near your home, please consider helping Public Safety by keeping snow piles away from the hydrant or shoveling out around it after heavy snow events. Public Safety officers do make the rounds and shovel when necessary, but their immediate duties may keep them from clearing the snow from all hydrants in a timely manner. Thank you for your help! 

CONSTRUCTION UPDATES
Check out the latest construction updates from Public Works. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION

Save the date! On Saturday, March 28, the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s annual fundraiser, HURRAH!, will take place in The BIG Room at Silva, 975 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities will be available soon on the HURRAH! page on the Foundation's website. 

EGREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE

E-GReen’s annual electronic waste and foam packaging recycling event takes place 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026, at the Public Works complex, 2310 Reeds Lake Blvd. SE.

Computers, laptops, tablets, hard drives, circuit boards, processor power supplies, UPS power cords, cables and wires, cell phones and holiday string lights will be accepted. 

For foam packaging, #6 block style and #6 food grade will be accepted, along with consumer electronics, gaming systems, GPD units, audiovisual equipment, printers, keyboards and mice. 

CRT TVs/monitors and batteries will not be accepted.

Additionally, E-GReen is partnering with Friends of the EGR Library to present the Sustainable Neighbors Speaker Series. These monthly speaker events will be held on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 105 in the lower level of the library, 746 Lakeside Drive SE. 

This year’s schedule includes:

KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH

The library's annual Let It Snow winter reading program for teens and adults begins Dec. 1. Read six books over the next three months to earn a fun seasonal mug — find all the details at kdl.org/snow/. 

Below are some featured programs:

LOWER GRAND RIVER ORGANIZATION OF WATERSHEDS

Read LGROW’s winter newsletter here.  

KENT COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS

Looking to recycle your holiday lights? View your options here. 

Stay up to date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook and Instagram.